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NEW PRESCOT ARTWORK TO WELCOME , CELEBRATE AND INSPIRE
Three new vibrant pieces of public art have been installed in Prescot to provide a warm and inspiring welcome to the town . The eye-catching installations are positioned on roundabouts at key gateway positions leading into and out of the town .
The artwork is part of the wider connectivity strategy for the town which saw bespoke inner gateway signs installed late 2020 and a family of new wayfinding signage installed across the town centre in early 2021 .
This comprehensive wayfinding scheme is being implemented ahead of the opening of The Shakespeare North Playhouse in 2022 , when thousands of new visitors are expected to visit the town every year . It is a key part of the council ’ s overall ambition to transform the town centre , making it an even more attractive and welcoming place for local residents and visitors .
The artwork is funded by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Local Growth Fund . Local Growth Funding is awarded to the Liverpool City Region Local Enterprise Partnership ( LEP ) and invested through the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority ’ s Strategic Investment Fund .
Artist , Martin Herron designed the artwork following extensive consultation with the local community . Two local primary schools have been involved , along with residents of The Watch Factory and a number of local community organisations . Discussions and presentations were held in public venues and community groups at Byer Road Community Centre , drop-ins at Prescot Library and public meetings in town centre cafes , pubs and restaurants during 2019 .
Martin said : “ The Prescotians are great people and this has been one of my favourite projects for community involvement . I met so many fantastic folk of all ages and abilities , from school children and young people to the older generation , to share thoughts and ideas as to what the artworks could be . It was great to have a blank canvas and the community had so many ideas and it was the main themes around the town ’ s rich heritage that were developed to create the final concepts .
I ’ ve worked in many places and communities to develop artworks that become part of that town , village and city . The warm welcome that I received when I came to Prescot and the way people got involved and shaped their artworks will stay with me forever . Such pride , such ambition and such optimism for the regeneration of their town .
" As well as feeding into the design of the artworks themselves , people
spoke about wanting them to be bigger to have a really positive impact at the important gateways to Prescot .”
There were key themes that emerged from the consultation , particularly Prescot ’ s rich industrial heritage , a strong sense of community and history .
Key aspects centre around Prescot ’ s industrial and craftmanship past , including watch and clock making , tool making , local coal mining , pottery , and the well-known British Insulated Wire Company / British Insulated Callander ’ s Cables ( BICC ) to name but a few . And of course , Shakespeare and the crafting of stories plays a strong role from Edward Lear and his time at Knowsley Hall , to the Earls of Derby ’ s connections to Shakespeare which sets the scene for the new Shakespeare North Playhouse being built in the town today .
Colour is used extensively throughout the works , influenced by the wiring and the colours of the protective coatings used both historically and in the modern day . These colours are echoed throughout each gateway site . The aim of all the artworks is to welcome , to celebrate , to illustrate and to inspire . The final artworks will reflect the heritage , the stories and importance of Prescot on the world stage .
Cllr Tony Brennan , Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Development said : This is just another fantastic milestone in the regeneration of Prescot town centre and its readiness to welcome visitors from across the world . I ’ d like to thank everyone who took time to share their thoughts and ideas for these installations through community workshops and drop-ins . They should feel enormous pride that they have helped to create something which will stand in this town for many , many years to come .
Where can you see the artworks ?
• At the Liverpool Road / M57 roundabout the artwork will set the stage to announce a vibrant and creative Prescot to visitors . It will include a watch design based on work produced at The Watch Factory .
• At the A57 Liverpool Rd / M57 / Kings Drive roundabout a larger than life cable will protrude from the ground , the explosion of colour displaying a dramatic welcome to Prescot and the start – or end of – an exciting trip to Prescot .
• At the A58 / St Helens Road roundabout there will be a stack of colourful cable reels representing the cultural and industrial heritage of Prescot . merseylife . com 19